It might seem impossible to find a referee with a more tarnished reputation than Martin Atkinson in the eyes of Stoke City fans right now, but the FA have tried very hard.

The man they have put in charge of Stoke’s crucial home clash with Swansea City on Saturday is Craig Pawson, the official who once confused Erik Pieters with Bruno Martins Indi when flashing a yellow card.

Potters fans will certainly be hoping for a more even hand from South Yorkshire official Pawson than they received from Atkinson during last night’s 3-0 home defeat by Liverpool.

Craig Pawson shows Erik Pieters a yellow card during the Premier League match between Stoke City and Leicester City at the bet365 Stadium.The booking was later transferred to Pieters' Stoke team-mate Bruno-Martins Indi. (Image: Plumb Images)

He waved away claims that the ball had gone out of play in the lead-up to the Reds’ opening goal, and then booked Liverpool keeper Simon Mignolet for a challenge on Mame Diouf when the consensus suggested the Belgian should have walked.

Pawson has reffed 14 Premier League matches in all involving the Potters, of which they have won five, drawn five and lost four.

Read More

But his nadir came at the bet365 Stadium last season when he first sent off Jamie Vardy for a questionable challenge on Diouf… and then booked Pieters for a foul committed by fellow defender Martins Indi.

The FA later transferred the caution to the correct player, leaving Pieters to observe: “There’s a big difference between me and Bruno. Same colour, same hair, I think it’s difficult to see!”

Read More

Pawson has officiated in one previous clash between the Potters and the Swans, although that one took place at the Liberty Stadium. It was May 2015, and Swansea ran out 2-0 winners… after Stoke had had Marc Wilson sent off.

He will be assisted at the bet365 Stadium by Adam Nunn and Ian Hussin, while Neil Swarbrick will be the fourth official.